Torre again calls for Broxton
Meeting in office tries to give boost
PHILADELPHIA - Dodgers manager Joe Torre called closer Jonathan Broxton into his office yesterday in the wake of the righthander’s meltdown in the ninth inning of Game 4 Monday night.
Broxton walked Matt Stairs, hit Carlos Ruiz, then gave up a two-run, two-out double to Jimmy Rollins that gave the Phillies a 5-4 victory and control of the series.
“The only thing I talked to him about - again, I don’t think it would be any secret - was just telling him how much I trust him and how he’s going to get the ball again,’’ Torre said.
“This kid, this closing thing, is something that’s new for him. He did some of it last year and did it in the postseason. But again, it’s watch and learn. It’s do and learn.’’
Torre reminded Broxton that Mariano Rivera of the Yankees surrendered a home run to Cleveland’s Sandy Alomar to tie Game 4 of the 1997 ALDS.
“It’s stuff that happens,’’ said Torre. “When you’re in that closer’s role, there’s no such thing as you did OK. It’s one way or the other. This kid is a tough kid. He doesn’t say a whole lot.’’
Broxton had given up only one run in five postseason appearances this season before the Phillies struck.
The general manager since November 2005, Colletti has had three postseason teams in his first four seasons. Among active GMs, only Boston’s Theo Epstein and Brian Cashman of the Yankees have accomplished that.
“The stability and continuity that extending his contract provides will further help us achieve the goal of being a consistent winner,’’ McCourt said in a statement.
Colletti engineered the trade that brought Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers last season and this season added several important veterans, including second baseman Ronnie Belliard, righthander Vicente Padilla, and set-up man George Sherrill for a total cost of approximately $2 million.
“It’s really nothing different than he’s done before. I don’t think it’s disrespect of anything,’’ Torre said. “He wasn’t going anywhere until the game was over, and we can’t put him back in the game.
“But that’s not something I thought was unusual since individuals are all different anyway. But he’s always done that.’’




